Networks1st Update: Friday 10th May 2013

Dundee SEN (DSEN) has completed annual Vital Stats for members (26) with a full mapping exercise for Dundee City Council area planned for later this year. Encouragingly, DSEN continues to grow from strength to strength. Key stats include: Membership increasing from 16 to 26 SEs; property and assets value up from £2m to £3.7; Staffing at 444; 56 trainees directly employed in SEs and 5,179 beneficiaries trained; total income up from £11m to £14.4m; and total from trading income up from £7.6m to £12.1m. Overall, Dundee SEN members received 84% of their income from trading activities – compared to 69% in the previous year. See, www.se-networks.net/shownotice.php?articleid=1017

A one day social enterprise conference is being arranged by Dundee City Council on 17th September. The conference will bring together social entrepreneurs and those interested in the development of social enterprise in Scotland. Speakers booked include Dr Ingrid Burkett an entrepreneur, community development worker, author and applied researcher and currently the President of the International Association for Community Development and Lord Andrew Mawson of the Bromley on Bow Centre in London’s East End. The full programme will be available soon. For info contact susan@dundeesen.org

BRAG held the annual Fife Social Enterprise Trade Fair on Wednesday in Glenrothes with a turnout of over 100 delegates from social enterprise, voluntary sector, public sector, private sector and general public. The event was opened by Keith Winters, Fife Council, who spoke about the importance of Fife Council linking with Fife SEN and developing a stronger working relationship – delivering national aims at a local level. Congratulations to Fife Society for the Blind who won the Fife Social Enterprise of the Year Award www.fsbinsight.co.uk An excellent event, well done!

Congratulations and best of luck to GSEN member, Glasgow Bike Station (GBS) – shortlisted in the Charity of the Year category. GBS has grown from a small voluntary group of cyclists reconditioning bikes at the Barras to a thriving social enterprise, employing 13 full-time members of staff and 25 volunteers. Its goal is to get Glasgow residents on their bikes and create a greener, healthier and more sustainable city. To vote for Glasgow Bike Station, see www.se-networks.net/shownotice.php?articleid=1015

Now in post for nearly 4 months, Danielle, our SE and Health Co-ordinator, is getting out to meet the members of the Health SEN. Danielle is looking to focus on relevant issues for social enterprises working in the area of health. Recurring themes so far include: measuring impact; early years; and self-directed support. Danielle will be constantly looking to hear about and promote social enterprises in health and community food. She has also produced our first SE and Health Newsletter. See, http://eepurl.com/x9SMn You can contact Danielle at danielle@senscot.net

Staying with health – registration for this year’s 2013 NHS Scotland Event is now open and is free for not-for-profit organisations. The theme for this year’s conference is Collaborating for Quality’ with sessions on both days on ‘Achieving the 2020 Vision with the Help of the ThirD Sector’. This is a fantastic opportunity to engage and network with NHS colleagues, see www.se-networks.net/shownotice.php?articleid=1011.

AWARDEES: 49 Scottish businesses and 139 Scottish creative suppliers applied for the 4CNW Talent Funding from the Community Enterprise Office with the awardees announced. The latest quarterly update is also available. See, www.se-networks.net/shownotice.php?articleid=1012

PROGRAMMES: Social Enterprise Academy have three short social enterprise programmes in H&I, each with overnight accommodation available at no cost. All welcome, whether local or at the other end of H&I, and no past experience necessary. www.se-networks.net/shownotice.php?articleid=1014

WORKSHOPS: The Ready for Business team is offering the opportunity to deliver one or more free training workshops around maximising social value from public procurement for teams of public sector staff involved in commissioning and/or procurement. See, www.se-networks.net/shownotice.php?articleid=1016

Join our Newsletter

Social Entrepreneurs Network Scotland (Senscot) is registered as a Scottish charity under Scottish Charity No. SC029210 and as a limited company under Company Registration No. SC278156. It's registered office is at 21 Walker Street, Edinburgh, EH3 7HX.